Download Heart Failure: Patient Information

Heart Failure:
Patient Information
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a condition in which
the heart muscle has become weaker
than normal and is no longer able to
pump blood as easily throughout the
body. Patients with heart failure need
to take specific steps to preserve
their heart function.
At St Charles Health System, our goal
is for all patients to live a high quality
life, with as few hospital visits as
possible. The purpose of this packet
is to share our knowledge on how to
best manage heart failure.
How do I know if I
have heart failure?
Your doctor will order tests to determine
your diagnosis. The most common test is
an ultrasound or echocardiogram (echo)
of your heart. The echo gives the doctor
information on the strength of each
heart beat. This is called the ejection
fraction. An ejection fraction is a
measure of how much blood is
being pumped out of the heart
to the body.
What is heart failure and how you know if you have it?
What should I know about my heart failure?
Your ejection fraction is measured in
percent. A normal ejection fraction
is 55 to 70 percent. If this is your
ejection fraction, it can mean
that your heart is pumping
enough blood to feed your body
the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
It also means that your body is
pumping enough blood to move
waste and fluids out of the body
for excretion. A below normal
ejection fraction can mean that
you are not moving fluids and
waste out of your body as well
as you could. It also means that
you are not able to feed your
tissues oxygen and nutrients.
How do you feel during ordinary physical activity?
Doctors also classify heart failure according to how many
symptoms you have during activity. This classification
comes from the New York Heart Association Functional
Classification. It is a good idea to know not only
your current ejection fraction, but also the class
heart failure you are in. The progression of your
heart failure can be minimized and tracking
your ejection fraction and class gives your
health care provider an idea of how well
they and you are doing in minimizing the
progression of your heart failure.
CLASS
I - No symptoms and no limitation in activity
II - Mild symptoms and some limitation during
III - Obvious limitation in activity. Comfortable at rest
IV - Severe limitation, with symptoms while at rest
What you should know about your heart failure.
How do I manage
my heart failure?
The following steps
can help you take
control of your heart
failure and improve
the quality of your life.
1
Step one: Take your
medications as prescribed.
The medications prescribed for heart failure help the heart muscle pump more efficiently.
They also help move fluids through the body more effectively and lower your blood pressure.
2
Step two: Weigh yourself everyday and write it down.
It is important to weigh yourself at the same time every morning when you get up -without
clothes and after emptying your bladder. An increase of three pounds over one to three days
will tell you that fluid could be building up in your body. This build up could be anywhere
in the body, but tends to take place in the hands, feet and lungs. If you experience weight
gain, report it to your doctor.
3
Step three: Avoid sodium or salt.
Salt________mg. Fluid______________
Wherever sodium goes, water follows. When you eat
sodium your body absorbs more fluids (retention).
Sodium is measured in milligrams (mg).
Your doctor will let you know the
maximum amount of sodium you
should have per day. It is very
important to read all food
labels for the amount of
sodium. One meal with
too much sodium could
result in enough fluid
retention to cause
breathing difficulties
and the need for
hospitalization.
Managing heart failure: Steps 1-3
4
Step four: Get active.
_________min.
It is important to exercise regularly. Your doctor will let you know how much
exercise to start with and then how quickly you can increase your activity.
Exercise can increase your energy and decrease fatigue. Regular exercise
improves your overall quality of life and improves the heath of your heart. Ask
your doctor how you may benefit from a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
5
Step five: Don’t smoke.
If you don’t smoke, don’t start! If you do smoke, quitting is critical to preserving your
heart. Smoking damages the lungs and heart tissue which worsens the symptoms of
heart failure. Smoking results in increased blood pressure and harms the small blood
vessels of the heart. Quitting can be very difficult and we offer many resources to help.
Ask your health care provider about smoking cessation classes or medication that can
help you achieve success.
6
Step six: Make and keep all follow-up appointments.
Physician: _________________________ Phone: _____________________
Physician: _________________________ Phone: _____________________
Physician: _________________________ Phone: _____________________
Managing heart failure: Steps 4-6
7
Step seven: Know if your heart failure is worsening.
You can avoid worsening symptoms by following the prescribed routine from your doctor. At
times, you may experience new or worsening signs and symptoms of heart failure. These
are an indication that you need to see your doctor. A few of these signs include:
• Shortness of breath with activity
or at rest. It may get worse when
lying flat in bed.
• Leg/ankle and hand swelling
• Weight gain of 2 or more pounds
in a day or 3-5 pounds in a week
• Dizziness
• Constant cough
• Belly fullness or bloating
• Decrease in appetite
Call 911 for any emergency,
such as chest pain or pressure,
shortness of breath that is extreme
or bleeding that will not stop.
Most of these symptoms are due to extra fluid in the lungs or body. When you have too
much fluid in your body it can also mean your veins have too much fluid which stretches
the heart muscle. Just like the elastic band on your pants, if you stretch your heart too often
the elastic will wear out, and the muscle will no longer pump blood effectively.
The best indication that your heart failure is stable is having your classification stay the same
at your yearly echo. It is then that you will be able to track the rewards of your hard work.
EVERY DAY: Monitor yourself every day
• Weigh yourself in the morning before breakfast (after urinating and wearing similar
clothing). Use the same scale each day. Place scale on hard surface (not a rug or carpet).
Write it down and compare it to yesterday’s weight and your weight a week ago.
• Take your medicine as prescribed
• Check for swelling in your feet, ankles, legs and stomach
GREEN ZONE: All Clear - this zone is your goal
Your symptoms are under control. You have:
• No shortness of breath
• No weight gain of more 2 pounds compared to yesterday
or 3-5 pounds compared to a week ago
• No swelling of your feet ankles, legs or stomach
YELLOW ZONE: CAUTION - This zone is a warning
Call your Doctor’s office right away. Tell them you have Heart Failure.
Ask to speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any of the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Weight gain of 2 or more pounds in a day or 3-5 pounds in a week
Shortness of breath
Swelling of your feet, ankles, legs or stomach
Feeling more tired or less energy; dizziness
Feel uneasy or that something is just not right
It is harder to sleep lying down.
Calling your doctor’s office and reporting these warning signs can help keep you out of the hospital. Often the
doctor or nurse can help you adjust your medicine or suggest other ideas that can get you back on track.
RED ZONE: EMERGENCY Go to the emergency room or call
911 if you have any of the following:
• Struggling to breathe. Unrelieved shortness of breath while sitting still
• Chest pain or pressure
• If you have an Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD),
and you are shocked more than twice, call 911
Managing heart failure: Step7. Know your ZONE. EMERGENCY.